The quiet, shy, and modest girl who sat in front of me did not seem like your typical homecoming queen. Before she actually won the homecoming title, she said that she was running for homecoming queen because she wanted to show students that you do not have to be popular to win the crown. Erika Jeannette Gutierrez, a 20 year- old Liberal Arts major, was crowned homecoming queen on Oct. 13, 2007.
She described how she felt when she won as a feeling of shock and disbelief. Gutierrez admits that from time to time she likes to put the crown on her head and relive that moment. She said that she feels a bit overwhelmed and surprised that she won.
However, the people who know Gutierrez and the type of person that she is are probably not surprised. Erika Gutierrez is an exceptional young woman who sets an example for the rest of the FCC students.
Gutierrez is the first person in her family to go to college. Her parents emigrated to the U.S. from Mexico so that their children would live a better life. Gutierrez admires her parents for the sacrifices they have made for their children. She said her mother preferred to be a stay at home mom because she always put her family and her children above everything else. Her father faced many obstacles when he came to the U.S.; the most obvious obstacle was the language barrier. Despite everything, her father worked hard and is now a manager at a restaurant.
As a child of migrant parents, things have not always been easy for Gutierrez. The toughest challenge that she faced was finding her way in school without the help of her parents. Her parents did not know much about the college system in America. They were not aware of what the SATs were or what a student had to do to get accepted into college.
Gutierrez had to figure things out on her own.
Despite everything, Gutierrez has come a long way. She plans to transfer from FCC to San Jose State University, UC Santa Cruz, or UC Santa Barbara where she wants to attain a B.A. in sociology. Her ultimate goal in life is to become a school principal.
Gutierrez said that she wants to become a school principal because she wants to be a “Motivator in people’s lives.” She said that her goal would be to make a difference in the high school drop out rates.
Her interest in a career in education was fostered at FCC. As a federal works study student, Gutierrez works for the college activities office. She said that she loves working with students and helping them in any little way she can.
Besides balancing school and work for the college activities office, Gutierrez is also the president of LASO. Being the president of LASO has taught her responsibility, leadership, and how to work with other students.
Gutierrez said that she wants to be a role model for the other students at FCC. Gutierrez is the type of person whom everyone comes to for advice, support, and guidance. She is a very optimistic person who likes to inspire others to be the same.
As for her role model, Gutierrez said that her 80 year old grandmother is the one person whom she looks up to. She calls her grandmother, “La reina,” which means the queen. Despite her struggle with breast cancer, “La reina,” is optimistic, always has a smile on her face, and loves life.
Gutierrez said, “I love life and enjoy doing new things.” It is obvious that some of her grandmother’s optimism and love for life have been instilled in her.
She describes herself as, “Creative, fun, and inspiring.” She is scarred of the Farris wheel but loves roller coasters and enjoys listening to international music. According to Gutierrez,most people would be surprised to know that she loves to listen to everything from Irish folk music to Arabic music. On the little spare time that she has, she loves to go to the movies and spend time with friends and family.
Gutierrez has a secret passion for film. Her love for the world of multimedia grew out of CART high school, which stands for, Center for the Advanced Technology and Research. She attended this high school along with Bullard High. It was at CART that she learned to how to make short films and other kinds of multimedia.CART made her feel like an adult because they had to wear suits and the teachers treated them like adults.
Gutierrez has carried her passion for film making into the FCC college activities office. She is frequently asked by her co-workers to make special films for them. One co-worker asked her to put together a slide show for her newlywed son and daughter in law. Gutierrez has also made a short film to commemorate the Virginia Tech tragedy. She has become the “go to” girl for the college activities office. If something needs to get done, she is the first person they recruit.
If it were not for her passion to become a school principal, Gutierrez would love to become a film editor for DreamWorks. However, she said that a career that would allow her to make a difference in people’s lives is far more rewarding. Thus, hands down, she picks a career as a school principal over all else.
Despite her busy schedule, Gutierrez is also an active member of her church youth group. She said that religion and spirituality are very important to her. She had the opportunity to travel to Europe with her youth group. While in Germany, she went on a pilgrimage to get the Pope’s blessing.
Gutierrez believes that being involved in different things builds character. She values diversity and said that she is curious about everything.
There is so much more that Gutierrez wants to accomplish in life. She wants to visit one place in each continent. Ten years from now she hopes to be working on her master’s degree, married, and starting a family.
Gutierrez said every day that goes by is a lesson in life. She said, “The people who I meet make me who I am.” She believes only she can be her own obstacle and that keeping herself motivated is what she considers overcoming an obstacle.
Despite her humble demeanor, Erika Gutierrez does have all the qualities fit for a queen. Fresno City College has elected a queen that will represent them well.